Wanderlust Wednesdays ~ Barcelona

My first trip across the pond was last spring, and it was planned around the inaugural Mediterranean sailing of the Norwegian Epic. The cruise sailed out of Barcelona and stopped in Marseille, France and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

We flew in to Barcelona on a Wednesday morning to start our journey of 4 European cities in 6 and 1/2 days.
*Saying goodbye to U.S. soil for the week as we crossed the pond - isn't Miami beautiful?*
*We stayed at Hotel Barcelona Universal right near Las Ramblas*
*Entrance to Las Ramblas*
We were incredibly exhausted since we left the states in the late afternoon, and got into Barcelona at 2:00am our time, but it was 8:00am there with little to no sleep on the plane. My biggest advice in these situations is to power through, and try your best to get on their time. Taking a nap when you get in will just lead to further jet lag, and never getting accustomed to the time change. I still can't believe how much walking we did considering how tired we were, but I'm so glad we did. Barcelona was beautiful!
*Arc de Triomf*
*Roof top pool at hotel*
That evening we enjoyed some wine and food in our hotel lobby bar before crashing pretty early given how exhausted we were. The next morning, we boarded our cruise on the Norwegian Epic to visit Marseille, France and Palma de Mallorca, Spain before flying to Lisbon for the last leg of our first European adventure.
My second piece of advice when traveling to Europe is to city hop. Once you're there, it's so cheap to fly between countries/cities. It only cost us $59 per person to fly from Barcelona to Lisbon after our cruise. Don't fly all the way over there, and only stay in one spot!

Finally crossing the pond and seeing European soil was an incredibly memorable experience. The only bad thing is, it opened Pandora's Box and now we just want to keep going back and seeing more and more. Next up on our list, is a trip to London, Paris, and Amsterdam (my pick) or to Italy and Switzerland (H's pick). Both will be incredible!

Don't forget to check out my other travels here and link up with Emily, Kerri, and I every second Wednesday of the month for Wanderlust Wednesdays.

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Link-up Rules:

1. Follow Kerri, Emily, and myself on Bloglovin
2. Link up your favorite travel recaps or travel related posts
3. Grab our Wanderlust Wednesdays button and link back to our blogs
4. Be sure to visit other blogs and build your travel bucket list!


37 comments:
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37 comments:

  1. P!nkyJune 10, 2015 at 6:04 AM

    Oh my goodness, this looks amazing. My husband and I wanted to do a transatlantic to Mediterranean cruise for our honeymoon. I'm hoping one day we will still get to do one, but even something like this looks fabulous. I love Spain! Fun post and yay linkup!

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  2. BLovedBostonJune 10, 2015 at 6:24 AM

    You 100% hit all the highlights in Barcelona! I went when I was studying abroad for one weekend and it just wasn't enough, but Gary actually studied there for an entire semester so I want to go back with him so he can show me his sights!!! I loved Port Olimpico, such a fun area as was Las Ramblas! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  3. Rachel ¦¦ A Nesting NomadJune 10, 2015 at 6:54 AM

    I'm off to Palma tomorrow! Any tips?! Also, I'm super keen to get to Barcelona (which is silly as it's only about a 2h flight from me, I need to just get on with it) so thanks for all the tips!

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  4. Amanda Elizabeth - Meet @ the BarreJune 10, 2015 at 7:12 AM

    This was the best post for me to see right now because that is next on the list!!! Can't wait to show it to Mark. It looks absolutely beautiful there!

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  5. Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes}June 10, 2015 at 7:56 AM

    I've always wanted to go to Barcelona! Those lights on the street are SO pretty! And I can never say no to a rooftop pool. Never. :)

    <3, Pamela
    Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  6. kerri @ cheshire katJune 10, 2015 at 8:22 AM

    Barcelona is one of my fav cities ever - i can't wait to recap it too! and amsterdam - that is so great too! i actually went to amsterdam on the way home from barcelona bc why not :)

    cheshirekatblog.com

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  7. Pink and FabulousJune 10, 2015 at 8:37 AM

    This is a place I have always wanted to travel to. You guys have gone so many amazing places! I love it! I feel like anytime I book a trip I should consult with you first :)

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  8. Cupcakes and CrossbonesJune 10, 2015 at 8:47 AM

    What a wonderful trip! Looks gorgeous!

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  9. MarieJune 10, 2015 at 9:03 AM

    Barcelona is so fantastic! Great pictures. I'm totally looking into doing a cruise in Europe, great way to see so many places. Such a great idea which I have never thought of.

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  10. Maddie~The Whimsy OneJune 10, 2015 at 9:11 AM

    I love Europe and can't wait to go back in January. Love your photos from Barcelona and I completely agree, if you're in Europe, see as much of it as you can!!!

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  11. Kathy@MoreCoffeeLessTalkyJune 10, 2015 at 9:14 AM

    when we were deciding on where to go for our do-over honeymoon (long story), it was between spain or italy and italy won because my husband's family was there and we both wanted to see them. i LOVE LOVE LOVE europe! if i had all the money in the world, i'd spend years just travelling all over europe!

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  12. SMD @ lifeaccordingtostephJune 10, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    It's been too many years since I've been to Europe. I'm happy to be returning next year.

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  13. Emelia at Dream Big & Buy the ShoesJune 10, 2015 at 9:52 AM

    I LOVE all your travel posts, you have been to some reall cool places!

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  14. birdie to beJune 10, 2015 at 9:53 AM

    Sounds like a fun cruise! Barcelona is amazing. Love that rooftop area too!

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  15. DarcyJune 10, 2015 at 10:12 AM

    Great post! We are planning a trip over there for next spring and ew are definitely going to fit at least 2, maybe 3, cities in!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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  16. Christina Lea LovesJune 10, 2015 at 10:16 AM

    This looks like such a great trip! I'd love to get to Barcelona - the rooftop pool looks fabulous, anything on a rooftop is more fun!

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  17. Katie ElizabethJune 10, 2015 at 10:44 AM

    I remember you recapping this trip and I was jealous before and I'm jealous now!! Looks like perfection!

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  18. Andrea NineJune 10, 2015 at 11:16 AM

    What amazing memories!! Great pictures to capture it for us and you two are the cutest tourists ever!!

    livingoncloudandreanine.blogspot.com

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  19. Kerry @ Till Then Smile OftenJune 10, 2015 at 12:15 PM

    Barcelona looks beautiful. I like how favorable to walking they are over there. The rooftop pool looks amazing!

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  20. JaclynJune 10, 2015 at 12:41 PM

    I am so jealous!! Barcelona is third up on my list of where I want to go. I've been to Greece and it's gorgeous!! And that's a great tip. $59 is totally worth it!

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  21. Alanna @ Alanna and CompanyJune 10, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    I want to go to Europe so badly! I keep seeing people going there or that theyre about to go. Jealous!

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  22. EvelinaJune 10, 2015 at 2:57 PM

    You got such beautiful shots of Barcelona! I would love to visit London and Amsterdam too! And you're right. Jet lag is no joke. Gotta power through it!

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  23. UnknownJune 10, 2015 at 2:59 PM

    Looks like a wonderful place! I love the photos!

    RedLip&Love

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  24. Emily @ Martinis | BikinisJune 10, 2015 at 3:46 PM

    Barcelona looks gorgeous and great tips for jet lag! I'm crossing my fingers we make it across the pond in 2016.

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  25. Tiffany {A Touch of Grace}June 10, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    Oh I am yearning for a European vacation! These photos of Barcelona look amazing.

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  26. JuliaJune 10, 2015 at 4:28 PM

    Wow so beautiful! I would love to go there someday! You are so right about visiting more than one place in Europe, it's all so close together that there's no reason not to see multiple places!

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  27. The Siberian AmericanJune 10, 2015 at 4:31 PM

    I love Barcelona! Seriously one of the most beautiful places we have been! I was amazed by how clean everything was!

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  28. NadineJune 10, 2015 at 6:03 PM

    Spain looks amazing!!!! I really want to visit all of the cities. I just wish I could get over my anxiety with flying.

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  29. Amanda | Kids and CabernetJune 10, 2015 at 6:32 PM

    Oh my goodness, what an amazing trip. It looks so beautiful there!

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  30. Meghan at Champagne & SuburbsJune 10, 2015 at 7:15 PM

    What a beautiful trip! Your pictures are INCREDIBLE! xo

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  31. Elise @ High Heels and Glittering EyesJune 10, 2015 at 7:33 PM

    Barcelona is on my travel bucket list and you just made it jump up to the top! Amazing!

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  32. Shannon JenkinsJune 10, 2015 at 9:37 PM

    So jealous!! Barcelona is definitely on my list of places to go!! Looks like you had an amazing time!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

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  33. Lindsay LatimerJune 10, 2015 at 10:18 PM

    I'm living vicariously through all of you this week! Such gorgeous pictures!

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  34. Lauren on LocationJune 11, 2015 at 4:49 AM

    What an amazing trip! Barcelona and Lisbon are two of my favorite places in Europe!! :D

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  35. Elle SeesJune 11, 2015 at 6:39 AM

    i have always wanted to visit there! i have been to amsterdam and switzerland

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  36. Simply Alexandra // My Favorite ThingsJune 11, 2015 at 9:20 AM

    This looks incredible! I am linking up for the first time today. :) My husband and I took a cruise from Boston to Maritime Canada and it was so lovely, and a really inexpensive way to travel. I have been thinking about taking international cruises as well! So this is great to read about your experience and your tips. XO - Alexandra

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  37. Kristen @ See You In A PorridgeJune 11, 2015 at 3:04 PM

    ahhh i am so jealous!!! it looks amazing. one day i will go on a cruise!! one day.

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